Canonical partners with Microsoft to support Ubuntu on Azure

Microsoft revealed yesterday that its Azure cloud computing service is extending support to the open source Linux operating system. And in a blog entry this afternoon, Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth announced that Canonical is working with Microsoft to support the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution on the Azure platform.

Canonical will supply official Ubuntu images for Azure and will provide its commercial support services to customers that are deploying Ubuntu in Microsoft’s cloud. After an Azure update that is coming in the fall, users will be able to purchase a Canonical support contract directly through Microsoft’s Azure Gallery.

Cloud computing is an important market for Canonical, which has been trying to boost its visibility in the server market. Canonical has recently focused on increasing Ubuntu’s suitability for adoption in cloud environments with projects like the Metal as a Service provisioning tool and the Juju service orchestration framework. The company has also worked to build a presence in private clouds by working to support OpenStack and Eucalyptus.

It’s unsurprising that Canonical is trying to get a good foot in the door for Ubuntu on Azure. Microsoft will also benefit from having partners in the Linux ecosystem as it works to make Azure a competitive offering compared to the cloud services offered by rivals such as Amazon.

In a blog entry about Canonical’s partnership with Microsoft, Shuttleworth described Azure as an "impressive new entrant" in the hosted cloud computing market. He also praised the Azure team, saying that they possess a "sophisticated understanding of Ubuntu and Linux in general."

Canonical and Microsoft have had little interaction in the past. Ubuntu’s symbolic Bug #1, which was filed by Shuttleworth himself, declares that putting an end to Microsoft’s dominant position in the PC market is one of the Ubuntu project’s chief goals. In his blog post about partnering with Microsoft to support Ubuntu on Azure, Shuttleworth emphasizes that the relationship will not conflict with Ubuntu’s values.

"I know there will be members of the free software community that will leap at the chance to berate Microsoft for its very existence, but it’s not very Ubuntu to do so: let’s argue our perspective, work towards our goals, be open to those who are open to us, and build great stuff," he wrote. "There is nothing proprietary in Ubuntu-for-Azure, and no about-turn from us on long-held values."

From a business standpoint, the relationship will be mutually beneficial for Microsoft and Canonical. Although some Linux enthusiasts might not be happy about seeing Canonical officially support Microsoft’s cloud offering, the reality is that Ubuntu will benefit from being able to run in that environment. If Azure support helps strengthen Ubuntu’s enterprise clout, it could help bring more resources and adopters to the Ubuntu ecosystem.

Heh,who'd have thought pigs would be such a flying hazard today Still, it's good to see Mr. Shuttleworth isn't letting himself be held hostage to his own idealogical beliefs,as this tends to end.. badly in the long run

Edit: In unrelated news - we now turn live to our correspondent in Hell to get the latest scoop on the revised venue for the remaining Stanley Cup games.

its Azure cloud computing service is extending support to the open source Linux operating system. And in a blog entry this afternoon, Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth announced

Gah! I am not normally a grammar Nazi... but this bugs me. One does not begin a sentence with "and". That is a continuation of a previous argument. Terminate the previous portion with a comma or a semi-colon- not with a period. What else is "legal"?

So close to the start of the article, taints the entire article. That makes Jack Sad.

Canonical is not the only Linux company working in Azure. SUSE has places SUSE Linux Enterprise and openSUSE in their library, and integrated SUSE Studio. Another partner is supporting CentOS images there. I'm suprised that ars is making this such an Ubuntu-focused topic.

Why they didn't install Linux, I have no idea. But I do have an idea why they install Free DOS. Installing original Win OS will hike the price up, so only expensive system came with Win OS. So the idea is, you buy the free does and find a shop that will, well, you know.

I think the reason why people choose FreeDOS over Linux is that to make the "other shop" work easy to install Win OS on it. Or Linux, if they choose to do so. I don't know.

But I guess it shows that just because laptop manufacturer doesn't want to sell a laptop with Windows OS, it doesn't mean it will come with Linux. It will come with just DOS, FreeDOS.

I've been an Ubuntu fan for quite a long time now. I certainly feel that Linux as a whole has the greatest amount of untapped potential among all the major OS's. Must admit though, I think it's really nice to see Canonical and Microsoft working together. When it comes to the computer world I prefer compatibility over competition.

its Azure cloud computing service is extending support to the open source Linux operating system. And in a blog entry this afternoon, Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth announced

Gah! I am not normally a grammar Nazi... but this bugs me. One does not begin a sentence with "and". That is a continuation of a previous argument. Terminate the previous portion with a comma or a semi-colon- not with a period. What else is "legal"?

So close to the start of the article, taints the entire article. That makes Jack Sad.

"That it is a solecism to begin a sentence with and is a faintly lingering superstition. The OED gives examples ranging from the 10th to the 19th c.; the Bible is full of them." - Ernest Gowers.

This should not be surprising at all. You will find the Linux zealots that will try to stir the pot but most of them are kids who have just discovered Linux (except for RMS). With the hardware platforms coming out now, and the push put on cloud computing and internet social networking, the base OS can really be irrelevant to most applications. As far as a business move, this is excellent. I bet the nuts that hang out on the Distrowatch comments section are going crazy now. Why can't people realize the cold war is over and that the general public doesn't care as long as they can get their computing fix. I just thought of something, now the only real evil one left is............Apple!

My guess is that FreeDOS has lower support costs. Selling Linux on laptops means people will call with Linux related questions. It probably just takes a couple calls to make selling FreeDOS a better choice.

They make their money from selling computers to people who plan on pirating Windows. That's really what it comes down to.

As others have noted, beginning a sentence with "and" is quite acceptable. Following the "and" with a comma (except when it is the first of a pair of commas that set off a parenthetical phrase) is frowned upon though .

its Azure cloud computing service is extending support to the open source Linux operating system. And in a blog entry this afternoon, Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth announced

Gah! I am not normally a grammar Nazi... but this bugs me. One does not begin a sentence with "and". That is a continuation of a previous argument. Terminate the previous portion with a comma or a semi-colon- not with a period. What else is "legal"?

So close to the start of the article, taints the entire article. That makes Jack Sad.

"That it is a solecism to begin a sentence with and is a faintly lingering superstition. The OED gives examples ranging from the 10th to the 19th c.; the Bible is full of them." - Ernest Gowers.

"That it is a solecism to begin a sentence with and is a faintly lingering superstition. The OED gives examples ranging from the 10th to the 19th c.; the Bible is full of them." - Ernest Gowers.

The and is superfluous, but it's acceptable.

Ars' pedants are the BEST pedants.

I do wonder if that is a good or bad thing...?

jbrodkin wrote:

patterson_hood wrote:

goglen wrote:

Ars wrote:

its Azure cloud computing service is extending support to the open source Linux operating system. And in a blog entry this afternoon, Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth announced

Gah! I am not normally a grammar Nazi... but this bugs me. One does not begin a sentence with "and". That is a continuation of a previous argument. Terminate the previous portion with a comma or a semi-colon- not with a period. What else is "legal"?

So close to the start of the article, taints the entire article. That makes Jack Sad.

"That it is a solecism to begin a sentence with and is a faintly lingering superstition. The OED gives examples ranging from the 10th to the 19th c.; the Bible is full of them." - Ernest Gowers.

its Azure cloud computing service is extending support to the open source Linux operating system. And in a blog entry this afternoon, Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth announced

Gah! I am not normally a grammar Nazi... but this bugs me. One does not begin a sentence with "and". That is a continuation of a previous argument. Terminate the previous portion with a comma or a semi-colon- not with a period. What else is "legal"?

So close to the start of the article, taints the entire article. That makes Jack Sad.

And is taught as forbidden at the start of a sentence to kids who are just learning grammar, mostly to prevent incorrect and awkward usage of the word in that position. When you get older and understand more grammar nuances you learn there are plenty of place where and can be placed at the beginning of the sentence.

My guess is that FreeDOS has lower support costs. Selling Linux on laptops means people will call with Linux related questions. It probably just takes a couple calls to make selling FreeDOS a better choice.

They make their money from selling computers to people who plan on pirating Windows. That's really what it comes down to.

Oh puh-lease! I have personally ordered hundreds of machines (mostly built to order), all of which came with Free DOS. There happens to be a lot of other ways of legally obtaining Windows than buying it with a computer. I for one, would like the money from my last 3 laptops that came with Windows back. I didn't need Windows on them. I have free licenses to whatever I need for OS.

EDIT: I think the difference is that you can't easily buy computers from retail without Windows preinstalled. Maybe its different there?